Aviation Security

Following the 10 August 2006 terrorist plot in the UK, as from 6 November 2006, new security rules were implemented for travellers taking a flight from EU, Norwegian, Icelandic and Swiss airports, regardless of destination. These rules allow airport retailing after security checks to be business as usual with no new restrictions, except for travellers transferring at another EU airport. Their liquids, aerosols and gel (LAGs) purchases will be placed in a sealed tamper evident bag, as will purchases at airports with retailing situated airside but before security checks.

However, it is important to note that travellers arriving in the EU / EEA from a non-EU country airport and transferring to another flight, unless arriving from an approved airport (see below), will not be allowed to carry larger quantities than the permitted personal allowances (max. 100 ml. containers) on board their next flight and these liquids, gels, etc. will have to be forfeited at security points, including duty free purchases made at their originating airport, even if they are sealed in a tamper evident bag.

On 01 December 2006, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) issued a State letter to its 189 member countries, recommending the introduction of similar rules to those adopted in the EU as from 01 March 2007. On 30 March 2007, the ICAO issued a second State letter that provides a global standard specification for a security tamper evident bag (STEB), together with proposed principles for securing the supply chain, necessary to validate security standards between states. Finally, on 06 July, ICAO issued its third State letter providing the principles of supply chain security for LAGs and STEBs, together with a validation process for facilitating the transfer of LAGs. For more information, access the latest news on the ICAO website.

Many countries outside Europe have now implemented the ICAO recommendations. However, without agreement from the EU that recognises their retail operations as being secure, there will be no change to the rules applied to transfer passengers arriving in the EU from these countries. The ETRC, in coordination with other regional trade associations, has prepared a LAGs Regulation Tracker that provides details of the rules that apply to passengers arriving, departing and transferring at airports in countries that have implemented the ICAO recommendations.

However, there has been significant progress in forging a solution to the EU transfer passenger problem. On 31 July 2007, the European Commission formally adopted a regulation that allows for the recognition of liquids bought in selected third country airports and the European Union will now be able to agree to accept duty free liquids from “recognised” countries as being secure, thereby allowing transfer passengers to continue their journeys without having to surrender their goods.

If the Commission is satisfied that the security measures applied in a third country in relation to liquids meets ICAO standards as defined in their State letters, the Commission can decide to grant exemptions. The first country to be formally approved was Singapore on 14 December 2007 and as from 03 January 2008 travellers from Changi Airport have not had to forfeit their duty free LAGs when passing though transfer security screening points at EU airports.

Croatia has become the second country to receive EU approval and as from 20 August 2008 travellers with LAGs arriving from the six Croatian airports are now free to transfer at EU airports.

However, we still need many more non-EU countries to apply for recognition by the European Commission. To support the industry in making contact with national governments outside the EU, the ETRC has produced a briefing document for airport retailers in third countries. The ETRC is also available to provide any further advice on the recognition process and how this may be expedited.